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Oram, South Africa and the curseWorld Cup Vignettes: A middle-order collapse saw them exit the World Cup, but some inappropriate on-field behaviour by the New Zealanders took its share of the spotlight
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Oram, South Africa and the curseWorld Cup Vignettes: A middle-order collapse saw them exit the World Cup, but some inappropriate on-field behaviour by the New Zealanders took its share of the spotlight
()

Dhoni takes India homeWorld Cup Vignettes: The most memorable shot of MS Dhoni's career came on the biggest platform: a six to win the World Cup, India's second title
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Yuvi steers India clearWorld Cup Vignettes: The man of the tournament, Yuvraj Singh, produced his most crucial innings against Australia in the quarter-final
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Non-starter of the day
There are many awkward ways of getting out, but nothing is more frustrating for a batsman than to get run out after the bowler deflects a straight drive onto the stumps. Tillkaratne Dilshan punched a half-volley from Tim Southee straight back. The ball bounced a yard in front of Southee who was still finishing his follow-through, but managed to stretch his right hand to slightly divert the path of the ball, which eventually went on to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Upul Tharanga, who had walked forward some four yards, was forced to only walk back, head down.

Wasted review of the day
Jayawardene was well aware it was a perfect reverse-swinging yorker form Southee. It was going nowhere except hitting his leg stump as it was pitched in line. Still he asked for a review, which only embarrassed him. It was a sheer waste of time, especially since he knew there was no inside edge.

The unluckiest man
In the end Lasith Malinga came up with a smile. It was a smile of disbelief. Two catches had been dropped in a space of four deliveries in his fourth over. Also smiling were Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor, the beneficiaries. Malinga sent a perfectly-pitched short delivery into Ryder's ribs, but he smartly played it off his hips, albeit in the air. It seemed to be going straight to Upul Tharanga at midwicket, but the fielder messed it up. Two balls later, Taylor slashed hard at another short delivery, pitched outside the line of off stump. He was too early into the shot, and it seemed an easy catch as the ball travelled towards Nuwan Kulasekara at third man. But Kulasekera committed the fatal error of moving forward. Just as he did that the ball rushed too fast onto him and he only managed to spike it over the ropes. A catch that should have been a single at most ended up being a six.

The Murali moment
It was the duel between the two oldest players from both teams. Muttiah Muralitharan was in his element, having already managed to get rid of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor with his loopy offspinners. He had pulled his hamstring while running between the wickets but that did not stop him from jumping high in the air as soon as Scott Styris scooped a return catch to him. With both his legs in the air and the arms raised high to hold the catch, Murali resembled a spiker more than a cricketer. For sure he had spiked New Zealand's momentum.

Mahela should be ashamed - not so much for his refusal to depart on that awesome catch, but because of his display after the match. Used to hold him in high regard - not anymore.

Posted by
Dummy4
on (March 19, 2011, 10:26 GMT)

Why would one be embarrassed to exercise one's right to a fair judgement if it is allowed by law

Posted by
Eranga
on (March 19, 2011, 6:10 GMT)

Would B McCullum have walked off to the pavilion straight away if NZ had batted first? I don't think so... Its a "WORLD CUP of CRICKET" match after all now 'innit?? :)

Posted by
Praveen
on (March 19, 2011, 3:37 GMT)

Sanga asked mahela to review it, there was no embarrassment compared to some of the reviews taken

Posted by
Siju
on (March 18, 2011, 22:37 GMT)

Mahela shud be embarassed- not for hislbw review, but for his 2nd inning in a one-day match

Posted by
Dummy4
on (March 18, 2011, 21:22 GMT)

All 3 departments of the SL Cricket Team needs improvement. Batting, Bowling and Specially Fielding. We were lucky to win this because of the 3 more experienced players in the team. Mahela, Sanga and Murali. Otherwise it would have been complete humiliation.

Posted by
Boa
on (March 18, 2011, 20:49 GMT)

Well what about that Southee fellow.... it was hitting middle of middle..... ghee whiz !

Posted by
Julian
on (March 18, 2011, 20:26 GMT)

Nathan McCullum was clearly the unluckiest given his catch was turned down by a blind 3rd umpire.

Posted by
Dummy4
on (March 18, 2011, 20:20 GMT)

Compare to other reviews which have taken by other teams you can't say Mahela wasted time. It was the right thing to do that time. So called Technology is there so utilize it. Moreover Mahela was not embarrassed and he did the right thing because his team wanted him to stay there carry on with Sanga.

Posted by
Dummy4
on (March 18, 2011, 17:51 GMT)

Mahela didn't embarrass him self, the previous two balls were heading on the leg side, so he thought it was diverting towards the leg as well, he has all the right to ask for a review, Nothing to be shamed of that.